SYED AAMIR SHARIEF QADRI
The world is growing fast, every where there is a noise of machines. This noise seems attractive as it generates income. It is a good sign of money making and should continue so. Beyond the noise made by machines there is another noise which we deliberately ignore. This is the noise of an orphan, widow, poor, destitute, and many more.
When we take a dig at current socio-economic situation in Kashmir we can see only little work has been done. We succeed only in establishing madrasas, maktabas and few orphanage centres throughout the vale of Kashmir. There is a need to establish Bait-ul-maal at each village and at every mohalla level. Most of the work is not yet done.
There are hundreds of Sufi shrines in Kashmir which have a potential to run big institutions. How many hospitals, schools, colleges, universities are run by these shrines? It is very unfortunate to say that revenue generating sources are many but they can’t get utilize in a proper way.
Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) are doing best job anywhere in the world. In Kashmir so many NGOs are working with different goals. But this is not a job of one person or of few NGOs. As we know Kashmir has many inherit problems. Lives have been lost here for long and any death does create a vacuum for the family and there is a significant number of orphans.. There are many issues in society, choose one and move forward. Put your soul into it and see results.
The significant part can be played by the youth who play an important role in transforming society. Working on common social issues is thought to be the responsibility of religious class. People are unable to think beyond politics.
Most of the social activists in Kashmir focus on the religious institutions and raise funds for them. But this is not sufficient. Providing only religious education should not be our goal. We don’t fit in this post modern world. During medieval times equal attention was paid to other branches of education. One who studied religion was well trained in several languages also. After memorizing Quran, they go for the study of other subjects.
We meet large number of people on roads crying for help. Most of us ignore them. Those who offer help, give few bucks and move on. Same thing is repeated every day. Nothing changes, neither their life nor their thirst for collecting more and more money. In this materialistic world where every one of us has become greedy there is a need for coming of ‘masehah’ to uplift these downtrodden people. As a Muslim we forget the teachings of Islam. We are much busy in personal affairs. That is why we don’t hear the cries from outside.
It is true people grow by applying new ideas. We can also help poor in new ways. Let us not give those cash. Listen to their soul. Give them new ideas so that they can transform their life. Look for them suitable jobs. Everyone of them has a capacity to serve in one way or other. Even a poor physically challenged handicapped can serve in multiple ways and there are instance of such peopel.
Let me give you an example here. If we are really worried about someone, say for example widow with two children. Help her in opening a small shop. Talk for her to some wholesale dealers to deliver important items. Guide her for two three months so that she can stand on its own.
If we are serious enough to help the needy we must go through following steps__
(a) Prepare a ground for mission to start…
1.
Use social networking platform and start #hashtags for the upliftment of poor and backward people. This is most powerful and easy way in helping society.
2.
There is a need to revolutionize this mission. We should act in a missionary zeal. As a responsible citizen we should first motivate our self. Then go and expand this circle.
3.
Engage youth as they are very productive and helpful.
4.
Among all causes I think there is great need to aware people. This can be done with the help of religious institutions. With their help we can mobilise people, organise seminars, held religious convocations etc. This will help in two important ways…
First, we will get a popular support from all sections of society, and second, we will succeed in generating much revenue.
5.
Held meetings regularly, maintain a dairy of record, distribute pamphlets.
6.
Highlight your work by creating powerful slogans.
(b) Strengthening roots…
1.
Form small groups in your respective areas.
2.
Make different committees (each under particular head) for distribution of work.
3.
Held a detailed survey of your area. Register people under different categories. For eg. Poor, orphan, widow, handicapped etc.
4.
Do not keep a detailed list enroll few. Those who are enrolled in your list should not be left in the middle.
5.
Search for permanent solution. Help them by creating a sources of wealth.
Keep serving and serve in a way so that we can’t find another person to enroll in our respective areas after few years of work. That is why i focus more on the formation of small groups than big NGOs.
—The author can be reached at
[email protected].
![](https://i0.wp.com/kashmirreader.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/guest-writer.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)